Acclaimed Japanese Restaurant Nami Nori Expands Into Montclair

MONTCLAIR, NJ — An acclaimed Japanese restaurant that specializes in “open-style temaki” is expanding out of New York City into Montclair, with an opening scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 20.

Adding to its presence across the Hudson River, Nami Nori is opening a new restaurant at 2 South Willow Street in Montclair. The restaurant – which has become known for dishes like the Spicy Crab Dynamite and X.O. Scallop, Tobiko, Lemon, and starters like Crispy Calamari with Yuzu Soy and Wasabi Cucumber Tataki – will be pushing the boundaries of its menu with some temaki, starters and desserts “exclusive to Montclair,” spokespeople said.

Nami Nori Montclair will be open for dinner Tuesday to Saturday from 5 to 9:30 p.m. Reservations will be available on Resy and walk-ins are encouraged in the 37-seat dining room.

Here’s what to expect on the menu, spokespeople said:

“Nami Nori offers open-style temaki and Japanese-inspired starters. Starters include Crispy Calamari with yuzu soy; Wasabi Cucumber Tataki; Asari Clam Soup with miso, butter and potato; and Veggie Miso with age tofu and carrot; including Montclair’s exclusive Heirloom Tomato Salad with charred scallion vinaigrette and katsuobushi; Honey Butter Corn Ribs with aonori and lime; and Braised Bamboo Shoots with sea beans and rayu. New temaki rolls only available at Montclair include Ocean Trout, with persillade and golden kiwi; and Sweet Potato Tempura with sweet chili soy, and are featured alongside signature temaki like X.O. Scallop with tobiko and lemon; Tuna Poke with crispy shallots; Cucumber Black Sesame with shiso and plum; and Spicy Crab Dynamite; among others. For dessert, Nami Nori offers a special Temaki Cannoli with mascarpone cream, orange compote, cocoa nib and lime zest. The restaurant’s beverage selection includes refreshing non-alcoholic beverages like the Yuzu Palmer and the Raspberry Lychee Spritz, Something & Nothing Yuzu Seltzer, Bruce Cost Pomegranate Hibiscus Ginger Ale, Matcha Latte, Soba Cha buckwheat tea, among others. Guests are welcome to bring their own wine, sake or beer.”

Partners Taka Sakaeda, Jihan Lee and Lisa Limb – who met while working under three-star Michelin sushi chef Masa Takayama – opened Nami Nori in the West Village in fall 2019. The restaurant received two stars from The New York Times and was highlighted as one of Esquire’s “Best New Restaurant in America 2020”, Robb Report's "10 Best New Restaurants in America" and Bloomberg's "Best Restaurant Dishes of 2019.”

Following the West Village opening, the trio opened Nami Nori in Williamsburg in Fall 2021 and have also successfully popped up in Hawaii.

“When we were approached with the idea to open a Nami Nori in Montclair, we were excited about the opportunity to introduce Nami Nori to a vibrant, tight-knit community of young professionals, artists, blossoming college students and more,” Sakaeda, Lee and Limb said.

“As we’ve spent more time in Montclair and watched the arts and entertainment district continue to evolve, we truly feel it’s a great fit for Nami Nori,” the restaurateurs added. “We’re looking forward to opening, and are honored to be a part of the community.”

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